Servant of Eliam's A/N: Yeah, here's Chapter Two for you. Once again, co-written with Novelisto.

Novelisto's A/N: Hey Guys! Thanks for reading it so far. Here's chapter 2 (pretty soon, huh?) Enjoy!

The Department of Mysteries

by Novelisto and
Servant of Eliam

Chapter II: The Eagle and the Fat Lady

The darkness of the Hat was nerve-racking, though mainly because Sean had no idea what was going on outside. He knew all eyes were on him. But how exactly did the Hat decide what House to put him in? He sat in silence for a couple more seconds, but a voice in his ear made him jump.

"So what House should you be put in?" asked the small voice in his ear. ". . . If I remember right, your sister was in Gryffindor, was she not? Perhaps you'd do well there . . ."

You can talk? Sean thought.

"Yes, very much so, Mr. Miller."

And you read my thoughts too, then.

"How else would I sort you?" it muttered impatiently. "Now Gryffindor, it wouldn't be bad, as your mother and sister both went there, but your father — oh, yes, I remember him — he was in Hufflepuff, was he not? You do show some signs of definite loyalty, whether to your friends or your family . . .

"But," said the Sorting Hat quite quickly, "you show shreds of bravery and chivalry — you wouldn't dare leave your friends when in peril. But then there's Hufflepuff, though something tells me it's just not right for you . . ."

So you're Sorting me into Gryffindor, then? Sean wondered.

"Perhaps not, though — I'm seeing some qualities of other Houses as well. Like Slytherin, for instance . . ."

My friend said that Slytherin's for stuck-up Pureblood snobs. And I'm not Pureblood.

"No, you're not Pureblood, nor stuck-up. But Slytherin is not necessarily for such people. Many fine, non-Pureblood Wizards have come from that House. Quite a respectable House, I must say. You certainly do show signs of cunning and ambition — you want to be good, successful. You'd do quite fine in Slytherin."

Oh. If you say so, Sean thought.

"But I still haven't reached a decision — yes, you're quite a tough case to crack. That brings me to Ravenclaw, now, doesn't it?"

Sean sat in silence without thinking. He must've been up on the stool for longer than anyone else — at least a minute already. So, Ravenclaw, then? Sean thought.

"Possibly, possibly. You show definite intelligence and cleverness. You'd do fine in any of the Houses, really. But one seems to step forward just slightly more than the others do . . . ," said the Hat.

Which? Sean thought eagerly. Gryffindor? Slytherin?

"Yes, it'd better be —" the Sorting Hat paused "— RAVENCLAW!"

The Hat was lifted from his head. Sean didn't know what to do, at first, as he was dumbstruck, but he slowly made his way toward the Ravenclaw table in front of him to his right. All of the members of that table were standing and clapping wildly, smiling broadly at their new addition. Over at the Gryffindor table, Sean saw his sister standing alone and clapping.

Sean found and seat and sat down between two people he didn't know. But then again, he didn't know anybody in Ravenclaw. At the table behind him, sitting almost just across, he saw the boy named Liam Spencer glaring hatefully at him. Sean shook his head and turned away to watch the Sorting as Milton, Rachael was called to the stool.

Sean wasn't paying attention anymore, though. He was thinking more about his own Sorting. Ravenclaw? Sean thought. Why Ravenclaw? I thought I'd be in Hufflepuff, or Gryffindor, or even Slytherin before I'd be put in Ravenclaw. Now I won't even see my sister much anymore.

The Slytherin table behind him erupted in cheers as Milton, Rachael ran to join them. The cheering had broken Sean's train of thoughts, but he found it once more as Nathans, Robert was called to the stool for his Sorting. Why Ravenclaw? It was his last thought before Nathans, Robert ran to join the Hufflepuff table.

Julius stood in the mass of still unsorted first years. He'd watched as Sean had run off to the Ravenclaw table, and he became rather worried. Julius didn't think that he had the mental capacity, the cleverness necessary to be in Ravenclaw. He probably wouldn't be able to join his only friend. You'll make other friends, a small voice in the back of his mind told him. And besides, you'll be able to talk to him after the classes of the day are over. It's no big deal.

Being near the end of the list, as a V, Julius thought that he wouldn't have the pressure of going first. But in all truth, it was only more and more nerve-racking as the list progressed. He almost felt pressured, as if he'd have to work harder, although he wasn't sure he'd need to work at all.

The feeling in his gut intensified as Wilson, Susan was called up. He knew that he'd probably be next. But the pressure seemed to lighten at that point, to his surprise. Maybe it doesn't matter. I mean, I want to be in Gryffindor, but do I have to? Does it really matter? It all returned, however, when the girl on the stool was sent to Slytherin.

"Virdo, Julius," called Professor McGonagall.

Julius gulped, and slowly pushed his way to the front of the four remaining kids and toward the stand, feeling all eyes upon him. At the staff table, a stern, mean looking witch looked down at him, showing little signs of actually wanting to be there. Her beady black eyes were filled with resentment. Julius forced himself to look away and hurried up to the stool.

He stepped up onto it and sat down, looking out upon the hundreds of students looking back from the House tables. They were soon gone from view as the musty old Hat fell over his head.

"Hmmm," said a voice in his ear, making hi jump in his seat. "You're not a very tough one, are you? You're brave, chivalrous—all the qualities of a Gryffindor. But you do show much ambition, certainly; you might do nicely in Slytherin."

Not Slytherin, Julius thought, anything but Slytherin! My mum says it's for stuck-up Purebloods. I'm a Pureblood, but I don't want to be stuck-up.

"You're the one that told the boy earlier that . . . he didn't seem keen to be put in Slytherin, either. He certainly was a tough case, took me a while. It's not really true," said the Hat, "but if you're sure of that, I'd better stick you in GRYFFINDOR!"

Julius gave a meek smile as the Sorting Hat was lifted from his head, and he stood up eagerly from the stool. Gryffindor, he thought, as he rushed down to the far left table, where everyone was standing and clapping enthusiastically. Julius saw Sean's sister near the middle, and headed toward her. There'd be someone friendly there, at least.

"Way to go!" said Sean's sister, who had an empty seat next to her. "Sit here."

"Thanks," he mumbled, sitting down. "It's just too bad Sean wasn't here."

"Yeah," she said. "You're Julius, right?" Julius nodded. "I'm Brooke." She held out her hand and smiled. Julius took it and shook, eager to be sitting by someone friendly. "You'll love Hogwarts—and don't worry. There's plenty of time in the day to talk with people from other Houses, if you want. One of my best friends is in Slytherin."

Julius felt a wave of relief wash over him as she said this to him. He'd been worried that he'd only be able to talk to Gryffindor people while at the school. "That's good."

"They even have some classes together, so you'll meet people from all the Houses."

"Oh," said Julius, feeling even more relieved. "That's cool."

He went silent as the last person (Zimmerman, Martin) was called to the stool and placed in Ravenclaw. Professor McGonagall, in no particular hurry, pulled the stool to the side and set the Sorting Hat down upon it again, where it sat in silence. She then walked back to the Staff Table and, rather than sitting turned to address the school.

"Welcome to yet another year at Hogwarts!" she called.

"Is she Headmistress?" Julius muttered to Brooke when the Professor paused.

Brooke nodded slightly and put a finger to her lips to shush him, intent on listening to the Headmistress speak.

"To all who are new, the first years, welcome! To all returning once again, welcome back!" The sternness seemed to have left her voice slightly as she spoke her greeting. Julius thought he might've seen her give the slightest upturn at the corner of her lips, but it faded just as quickly.

"The caretaker, Mr. Filch, has once again asked me to remind you that the use of magic in the corridors is against the rules, and may be punishable. And once again, though we may have less trouble with this nowadays, I must inform all first years — and remind certain older students — that the Forbidden Forest is, as its name might suggest, forbidden to all students, at all times."

A wave of murmurs spread through the hundreds of students.

"Now, if that is all," said the Headmistress, "dig in!"

Julius didn't know exactly what there was to dig into, but as soon as he thought this, plates of food appeared on the table in front of him. Platters full of meat pie, pork chops, and other delicacies were just sitting there for the taking. As soon as they appeared, everyone immediately grabbed food, and Julius wasn't to be left out. His plate was already full of things to eat, and just as soon as everyone else, he'd dug in.

Julius ate until he was stuffed, until he couldn't force any more of the delicious food down his throat. It was then, as everyone else had finished, that he realized that there would be desert. He didn't know exactly if he'd be able to eat anymore, but, somehow, he managed to stuff three slices of apple pie down.

By the time everyone had finished, Julius was full beyond all belief, and he was ready for bed. The plates cleared themselves magically and were as clean as they had been before the feast. Professor McGonagall stood from her seat in the center of the staff table, and cleared her throat before tapping her spoon lightly against her glass.

"I have just but a couple more announcements before you all head off to bed," she said. "House Quidditch tryouts will be held when the team Captains specify, and will be on the House announcement boards in your common rooms. My last announcement —" A smirk fell across her face. "Have a wonderful term!"

With those last words, every student in the Great Hall stood up from their seats. Unsure of what to do, Julius followed suit. He followed Brooke as the mass of Gryffindors made their way from the Great Hall.

"First years! First years over here!" A boy with a prominent badge on his chest was calling for the first years, as was a girl apparently of the same year, who also had a badge. Julius figured he'd better do what they said, and made his way over to them.

When the boy was sure he had all of the first years of his House, he started to walk briskly up a staircase, giving a tour of sorts to them, while the girl walked silently beside him. "I'm Aidan Mills, and I'm one of the Prefects of Gryffindor House. If you ever have any questions, feel free to ask me. This —" He gestured to the staircase they were walking up. "— is the Grand Staircase. Some of you might find it a bit of a surprise, but —"

He was cut off as the staircase gave a lurch, and began to turn. He laughed shortly. "Well, it moves!"

A murmur of impressed sounding voices joined this comment as the staircase pulled to a halt.

Aidan continued. "Make sure you remember the path we take to reach the common room tonight. Your common room will be like your home while you are here at Hogwarts. You sleep in the dormitories there, do homework, and just hang out." He paused and turned back around to face his front. "Ah, and here we are, now. The password — remember this now — is 'Fanged Geranium.'"

A portrait depicting a fat lady said, "Right you are," and swung open to reveal a passage into a room beyond. Aidan led them all into the room beyond. It was lit with candles and torches alight, and a fire blazed in the fireplace. Comfy looking armchairs and sofas surrounded the fireplace, and bookshelves lined one wall, while windows looking down onto the grounds lined another. The two remaining walls simply had portraits and the beginnings of staircases.

"Now this," said Aidan loudly, so that all could hear, "is your common room." He pointed to their right. "Over that way is the staircase to the boys' dormitories." Aidan then pointed to their left. "And, of course, the other staircase leads to the girls' dormitories. You'll find your luggage already in your rooms. Simply find the door with your name on it, and you'll find your beds inside. Off to bed, then," Aidan concluded. "You have a long day ahead of you, now."

The chatter rose again for a moment, but died down as the two groups of first years, a group of around fifteen each, headed in different directions for their dormitories. Julius headed with the boys to their right. For one of the first times of the night, he had nothing to say. He didn't know any of the boys, and this kept him rather silent, at least for now.

He made his way slowly up the stairs near the middle of the group, his speed controlled by the others entirely. He soon found his room — it was the first one they reached. He'd been roomed with four unfamiliar names, obviously. It wasn't as if he'd expected to room with Brooke.

Julius found his luggage at what must've been the foot of his trunk. The other boys filed slowly in behind him, none of them speaking. Now that there were fewer of them, Julius felt suddenly less self-conscious.

"Hullo, everyone!" he said eagerly. Three of the others looked up silently at him, without speaking, though one other looked gladly up at his greeting.

"Hi!" he said. His mousy brown hair was a mess on top of his head. "I'm Alec! Alec Mason."

"Julius Virdo," Julius replied happily. "Nice to meet you."

"Gryffindor, huh?" said Alec after plopping down on his bed. "Good House, I hear. Plus, my brother says they won the Quidditch Cup the last two years. Some girl named Brooke Miller is doing a lot of it, he says."

Julius grinned. "Oh, yeah. Met her. She's pretty good, I hear." He sat down on his own bed, which was feeling much more inviting as his eyelids grew heavier. "S'pose we better get to sleep, shouldn't we? Classes first thing in the morning."

"Oh, yeah, I can't wait. I think Potions sounds fascinating, and I heard that the Professor is really cool, and all." Alec looked eager to talk more, but Julius saw weariness in the boy's face.

"So, uh, g'night, I guess." Julius stood up awkwardly and blew the candles out. None of the other boys had spoken, and Julius didn't figure they'd been eager to. Sure showing a lot of Gryffindor bravery, aren't they? Julius thought as he pulled his covers up to blanket himself.

It wasn't long before his eyes fell too heavy to keep open, and they shut, plunging Julius into awaited sleep.

Sean sat in the Ravenclaw common room. After everyone else in his dormitory had gone to bed, he'd snuck back out with one of his Spell books, intent on reading. A couple of older students, a boy and girl, had been the only others in the common room, snogging in the corner, but they'd more or less ignored Sean as he'd found a comfortable armchair by the fire, and opened his book.

It was near midnight when he'd decided to stop reading, as his heavy-lidded eyes threatened more than ever to shut themselves for sleep. The fire had reduced to little more than smoldering ashes, and he'd been reading by moonlight for over half an hour. He stood up and looked around. It wasn't a surprise to Sean that he was completely alone. He looked back for a moment at the passage that led out of the common room, thinking about the eagle that stood proudly beyond, handing out riddles to whoever was intent on entering the common room. Sean had found it a confusing thing at first, but figured if he was to be in Ravenclaw, he'd need to show some intelligence and cleverness, at the least.

He slowly and quietly made his way back up the staircase to the dormitories. As silently as possible, he turned the handle of the dormitory door and slipped inside the room. The door made a soft click as it shut once more. Sean looked around. His fellow roommates were all fast asleep, snoring softly. Silky moonlight poured in through the window, bathing a portion of the room in silvery light. It lit the way for Sean to reach his bed noiselessly, without running into stray possessions on the floor, though he doubted there would be any already.

He slipped into his bed and pulled the hangings shut. If he had more light, he'd have liked to have read more into the interesting Spell book, in which he'd already reached the fourth chapter. But his body willed him not to. Exhaustion had truly begin to set in after he'd pulled his covers over himself.

Aches and stiffness from the train ride, standing for a long time while waiting to be sorted, and sitting in the same position for hours reading in the common room. He'd be happy when he finally fell asleep.

There's classes to look forward to tomorrow, he told himself. And maybe even Quidditch tryouts next Friday, if I'm up to it. Nothing to fret about. Just get to sleep.

And Sean did. His eyelids drooped shut just after he thought this, and he was thrown into a dreamless sleep.